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R1150RT (2004) Headlights Out

This morning when I set out for my commute, at the bottom of the driveway, I noticed that I had no headlight. No low beam, no high beam. Euro switch was in the on position. Actuating high/low and euro switch had no effect. To be honest, I have noticed a couple of times on startup that I had a weak highbeam instrument light on, on the instrument display, even though I was in lowbeam mode. Switching the beam switch back and forth once or twice resulted in the dim light going away, and then things functioned normally. This may or may not have the slightest thing to do with having no lights this morning. All other startup functions, indicators, and lights function normally. Your thoughts appreciated.

Switch

Sounds like you need to research the functioning of that Euro switch. Do a wire wiggle test on the wires coming out of it. Do you have the origional switch? Plugging it in would tell you if it's the switch. Could be the wire connectors of course and that you can service with some contact cleaner and a plug-unplug cycle or two.

2002 F650GS, 1998 R1100R 75th anniversary edition, 1983 R80RT (just sold), 1959 R60 (in restoration), Honda CT90
If you must make a mistake, make a new one each time.

This morning when I set out for my commute, at the bottom of the driveway, I noticed that I had no headlight. No low beam, no high beam. Euro switch was in the on position. Actuating high/low and euro switch had no effect. To be honest, I have noticed a couple of times on startup that I had a weak highbeam instrument light on, on the instrument display, even though I was in lowbeam mode. Switching the beam switch back and forth once or twice resulted in the dim light going away, and then things functioned normally. This may or may not have the slightest thing to do with having no lights this morning. All other startup functions, indicators, and lights function normally. Your thoughts appreciated.

When the common ground connection fails just below the lamps, neither high or low beam works, but the Hi Beam indicator comes on. The ground failure is not unusual.
RB

Switch is the original switch. Not sounding like that's it though. Will keep the contact /plug-unplug in mind.

Originally Posted by rdhudson

Sounds like you need to research the functioning of that Euro switch. Do a wire wiggle test on the wires coming out of it. Do you have the origional switch? Plugging it in would tell you if it's the switch. Could be the wire connectors of course and that you can service with some contact cleaner and a plug-unplug cycle or two.

Hi/Lo Rocker Switch:
Center: lo beam, only if other switch is full on
High: (momentary) Flash high beam, regardless of other switch position
Low: (detented): hi beam only, and only if headlight switch is full on

I would be glad to hear any comment or correction from European R bike owners.

USA-built R1150RT in 2004 and later have fuses for high and low beam (F8 and F9), you've probably checked that.

Similar problem with my 04RT. Headlight assy replaced not once but three times under warranty in first year of ownership (bought new in 04). The ground for the h/l system consisted of some flaky copper strips that burned out and made replacement ot the 400.00 light necessary.

Dealer blamed my Kisan modulator and after I removed it there were no further problems.

Similar problem with my 04RT. Headlight assy replaced not once but three times under warranty in first year of ownership (bought new in 04). The ground for the h/l system consisted of some flaky copper strips that burned out and made replacement ot the 400.00 light necessary.

Dealer blamed my Kisan modulator and after I removed it there were no further problems.

Mine said it was the clear headlight protector that caused mine to fail.

Hi/Lo Rocker Switch:
Center: lo beam, only if other switch is full on
High: (momentary) Flash high beam, regardless of other switch position
Low: (detented): hi beam only, and only if headlight switch is full on

I would be glad to hear any comment or correction from European R bike owners.

USA-built R1150RT in 2004 and later have fuses for high and low beam (F8 and F9), you've probably checked that.

USA and euro bikes have same wiring, they just left off the headlight switch on USA versions. You can easily buy and plug one in to your USA model.

Position 2 of headlight switch is "parking lights," which includes taillight and the little bulb in the headlight and, yes the instruments. Position 3 is all of above plus power to the beam selector. Power for the flash portion of the selector is entirely separate, as you can flash with headlight off. On some if not all German cars, you can "flash" even with ignition off, but motorcycles are too vulnerable to tampering for this.

And of course, all Oilheads are German-built, some just built there to USA requirements.

USA and euro bikes have same wiring, they just left off the headlight switch on USA versions. You can easily buy and plug one in to your USA model.

I've been trying for a long time to draw this "same wiring" in an understandable way. My current diagrams attempt to show the alternative European switch but it is not complete. Any source for a good schematic would be appreciated. i couldn't get much from Haynes or Clymer or even BMW drawings.

Position 2 of headlight switch is "parking lights," which includes taillight and the little bulb in the headlight and, yes the instruments.

I think you're right. Again, it's very hard to draw this circuit especially since 2002 oilheads and later have the taillight controlled by the ABS module.

And of course, all Oilheads are German-built, some just built there to USA requirements.

Headlight Modulator Schematic

Originally Posted by DougRaymond

I've been trying for a long time to draw this "same wiring" in an understandable way. My current diagrams attempt to show the alternative European switch but it is not complete. Any source for a good schematic would be appreciated. i couldn't get much from Haynes or Clymer or even BMW drawings.